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Written by Brad Askew
Legal Tech Founder
Civil & Commercial Law background · Founder of LegalDocuments.co.uk
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Updated April 2026 · England & Wales
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BA
Written by Brad Askew Legal Tech Founder
Civil & Commercial Law background · Founder of LegalDocuments.co.uk
Updated May 2026
·
England & Wales
If you have been drawn into a County Court claim, whether as the person bringing the case or the one defending it, the language alone can feel like a barrier. Courts use words that have precise legal meanings, some of which sound archaic and others which sound ordinary but mean something quite specific in a civil claims context.
This glossary pulls together the terms you are most likely to encounter when dealing with the County Court in England and Wales. I have written each entry in plain English so you can read a court letter, a claim form, or a judgment and follow what is actually being said.
Some phrases here are still in everyday use by judges, court staff and solicitors. Others are slightly older but worth knowing because they still surface in correspondence and older case papers. Use this as a reference point rather than a substitute for guidance on your particular situation.
Overview
The County Court handles most civil (non-criminal) disputes in England and Wales. That includes claims for unpaid debts, breach of contract, consumer disputes, housing possession, small personal injury claims and a range of other money and property matters. Since 2014 it has operated as a single national court with hearing centres across the country, rather than as a collection of separate local courts.
Proceedings follow the Civil Procedure Rules, which set out how claims are issued, defended, managed and decided. Because the rules have their own vocabulary, parties who are not legally represented often find the terminology harder to decode than the underlying dispute.
A glossary helps you recognise what is being asked of you, what deadlines apply and what any given document means for the next step in your case. The entries below cover the terms most commonly used in County Court correspondence, orders and hearings, with short, practical explanations rather than formal definitions.
Key steps
01
Read any court document carefully and note the deadline. Every letter, order or form from the County Court tends to include a date by which something must be done. Missing that date can lead to default judgment, strike out, or costs consequences. Identify the deadline first, before you worry about the rest of the content.
02
Look up unfamiliar terms before responding. Words like 'directions', 'particulars', 'admission' and 'set aside' all carry specific meanings. Reading a document with the correct definitions in mind changes what you think it is asking. Use this glossary as a first reference, then check the Civil Procedure Rules if you need more detail.
03
Check which form or reference the court is using. County Court forms are numbered (N1, N9, N244, N245 and so on). The form number tells you what stage the claim is at and what response the court expects. A quick search on gov.uk for that form number will show you the official version and its guidance notes.
04
Keep every piece of correspondence in order. Civil claims can run for months and sometimes years. Keeping a dated file of letters, emails, orders and witness statements means you can find the relevant document quickly when the court or the other side refers to it. A simple chronological folder, paper or digital, is usually enough.
05
Get help before a hearing if you are unsure what a term means in context. A word like 'directions hearing' or 'summary judgment' can have very different implications depending on where you are in the claim. If a phrase in a court order is unclear, it is worth talking it through with someone experienced before the hearing rather than after.
Common questions
QWhat is an adjournment in a County Court claim?
An adjournment is when a hearing is put off to a later date. Either party can ask for one, and the judge decides whether the reason given is good enough. Common grounds include a witness being unavailable, important documents not yet being disclosed, or one side needing more time to prepare. An adjournment is not automatic, and the court may impose conditions or costs on the party that requested it.
QWhat does 'directions' mean in civil proceedings?
Directions are the instructions a judge gives about how a case should be managed and prepared for trial. They cover things like deadlines for filing witness statements, disclosing documents, exchanging expert reports and setting the trial date. Directions can be made at a directions hearing or on paper. Failing to comply with directions can lead to sanctions, so it is worth diarising each deadline as soon as the order is received.
QWhat is the difference between an admission and a denial?
An admission is where a party accepts that a particular fact or claim is true, so it does not need to be proved at trial. A denial is the opposite: the party disputes the fact and puts the other side to proof. In a defence, each allegation in the particulars of claim is usually admitted, denied or not admitted. Being clear about which is which matters, because anything admitted is effectively settled.
QWhat is an appeal on a point of law?
This is an appeal brought on the basis that the judge got the law wrong, rather than the facts. Examples include misinterpreting a statute, applying the wrong legal test, or reaching a decision that no reasonable judge could have reached on the evidence. Permission to appeal is usually required, and there are strict time limits. Appeals on points of law are different from simply disagreeing with the outcome.
QWhat is arbitration and how does it differ from court?
Arbitration is a form of private dispute resolution where the parties agree to have their case decided by an arbitrator rather than a judge. The arbitrator's decision, known as an award, is generally binding. Arbitration is often used in commercial contracts and can be faster and more confidential than court, but it typically involves fees paid by the parties and more limited rights of appeal compared with County Court proceedings.
QWhat does 'appellate jurisdiction' mean?
Appellate jurisdiction is the authority of a higher court to review decisions made by a lower court. In the civil system in England and Wales, appeals from the County Court may go to a higher judge within the County Court, the High Court, or the Court of Appeal, depending on the type of decision and who made it. Not every decision can be appealed, and permission is normally needed.
QWhat is an application for directions?
It is a formal request asking the court to set out how the next stage of a claim should proceed. Either party can make one, usually by filing an N244 application notice with the relevant fee. Typical requests include asking for a timetable, permission to rely on expert evidence, or clarification of an earlier order. The court will decide the application on paper or at a short hearing.
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Brad Askew Legal Tech Founder
Brad has a background in civil and commercial law and founded LegalDocuments.co.uk to make clear, reliable legal information accessible to everyone. This site is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.
Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. We are not solicitors. For advice on your specific situation, please consult a qualified solicitor.
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